IRVIN NUTS?...the ULTIMATE thread for those who love 'em!

aswatland · Apr 10, 2008

Doc" Devereux]Those look excellent said:
Here's the eBay listing[/URL], though.

I noticed those on Ebay recently-sold by a certain Gary Eastman! They look superb and complete with Lightning zips as well. Do you wear them?

I can get both of mine on, but really do not wear them. Just a nice addition to go with my collection of Irvin jackets.

"Doc" Devereux · Apr 10, 2008

aswatland said:
I noticed those on Ebay recently-sold by a certain Gary Eastman! They look superb and complete with Lightning zips as well. Do you wear them?

I do, as it happens. I frequently work very late into the night and like to have the windows open to keep the air fresh in my study. My knees don't get cold at four in the morning any more! lol

Oh, and at some point they may well find themselves back inside an aeroplane again - that depends on bulk.

But they fit like a glove, the leather's in beautiful nick and all they needed was an airing to make them exactly what I've been after. This is what's changed my view of vintage Irvins, to be honest, and why I'm now willing to consider wearing an original for things that don't involve actual physical harm to the jacket.

aswatland · Apr 10, 2008

I am glad they are as useful to you as they were to RAF bomber crew. Vintage Irvin jackets should be worn, unless they are in a fragile condition. I'm glad you have changed your mind on this.

"Doc" Devereux · Apr 10, 2008

Well if you ever get bored with that CC jacket...

But the whole point of wanting trousers was to put them to work.

aswatland · Apr 10, 2008

[QUOTE="Doc" Devereux]Well if you ever get bored with that CC jacket...

But the whole point of wanting trousers was to put them to work.[/QUOTE]

I can't get bored with the CC jacket as it is currently winging its way to me from Scotland!

PADDY · Apr 10, 2008

Just when you thought it was safe to go outside again...

That old IRVIN WEATHER hits again...GREAT isn't it!!:eusa_clap (A few mornings ago when the snows hit the Scottish borders). My old workhorse from 1995 by Eastman.

Smithy · Apr 10, 2008

PADDY said:
That old IRVIN WEATHER hits again...GREAT isn't it!!:eusa_clap (A few mornings ago when the snows hit the Scottish borders). My old workhorse from 1995 by Eastman.

Looking fine old boy, but hang on, those aren't regulation trousers are they

"Doc" Devereux · Apr 10, 2008

Those boots could use a bit of polish too...

Looking good, Paddy!

Spitfire · Apr 10, 2008

Aint easy looking so good, eh Paddy?

KilroyCD · Apr 11, 2008

ethanedwards said:
A fine picture of aircrew wearing their Irvins. I'll post any pics of the black variety if and when I remember where they are! Getting old you see....

This might be a photo of 71 (Eagle) Squadron, as the pilot front row center closely resembles Howard "Deacon" Hively. Also, the chap in the background on the right (with his face half shaded) resembles Duane "Bee" Beeson. Nothing conclusive here, but maybe a starting point.

Spitfire · Apr 11, 2008

Hey Killroy - when do we see pics of you new Irvin in use?

Smithy · Apr 11, 2008

KilroyCD said:
This might be a photo of 71 (Eagle) Squadron, as the pilot front row center closely resembles Howard "Deacon" Hively. Also, the chap in the background on the right (with his face half shaded) resembles Duane "Bee" Beeson. Nothing conclusive here, but maybe a starting point.

Although after the BoB is not my big thing, I am convinced that this is not 71. If it was - and taken at this time of cold weather so very late '40, early '41 - at least Dunn, Daymond or at least even Peterson should be evident. No one in this pic, at least to me, looks like an early 71 member, also I've never even seen a photo of 71 Sqn with so many members wearing Irvins

One or two of the figures in the photo look similar to early (around '40) members of 213 or even 85 but I certainly wouldn't want to say which squadron it is definitively.

aswatland · Apr 11, 2008

IMO these are bomber crew not fighter pilots, so it can't be no. 71 Squadron. Notice the electrically wired Irvin-these were only issued to bomber crew, where they were plugged into the plane's electrics.

Smithy · Apr 11, 2008

aswatland said:
IMO these are bomber crew not fighter pilots, so it can't be no. 71 Squadron. Notice the electrically wired Irvin-these were only issued to bomber crew, where they were plugged into the plane's electrics.

I was thinking that as well Andrew. But I don't think we can say either way. I have before seen a photo of a fighter squadron member wearing an electrically wired Irvin (presumably he was issued one by mistake or it was the only one in stores). If it is a bomber squadron dispersal or crew-room it is unusual that there should be aircraft recognition models as these were usually (not solely though) seen in fighter dispersals. There is also the added possibility that it is neither a bomber nor fighter squadron but an Army Co-operation unit.

ethanedwards · Apr 11, 2008

I wish I could add something useful, but all I know is that it's an IWM photo.
My instinct is that they're bomber crew, my guess is that the model is a night-fighter and that it's the early part of the war. But I really am assuming.
If you have the superb 'Nightbombers' documentary, there is a scene reminiscent of this, where the crew kit up after briefing. I cannot recommend
this film enough if you have an interest in RAF night ops over Germany.

Spitfire · Apr 11, 2008

Could it be from the exact same film? Then the problem is solved.

Many of the wellknown images we have today, are actually prints made from 35mm or 16mm documentaries.

Just a thought.

ethanedwards · Apr 11, 2008

Spitfire said:
Could it be from the exact same film? Then the problem is solved.

Many of the wellknown images we have today, are actually prints made from 35mm or 16mm documentaries.

Just a thought.

Unfortunately not Spitfire, the documentary is in full glorious colour, and mostly follows the exploits of one crew. In the locker room scene, the effort the pilot makes to heave his Irvin on is quite perceptible! It's so good that someone had the foresight to record this, so we get to see H2S,FIDO, the briefings, Lanc interiors, over the target etc. etc. There's a bit here, though I don't know what that music is all about......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9ZLiDe4-Xg
A shame no-one thought to preserve a Hampden, a Whitley, or a Stirling...... as Paddy said earlier, at least we felt a need to preserve the jackets.

ethanedwards · Apr 11, 2008

Now here's a chap with no need of Irvin trousers WHATSOEVER! He certainly
doesn't have your problem Doc. I don't want to take a punt on dating this
one because the theatre is not Northern European, so I'd be on thinner ice than usual.

aswatland · Apr 11, 2008

Another great picture. The shorts do look odd with the Irvin. Nice couple of pairs of 1936 pattern boots too and of course the Wellington.

Smithy · Apr 11, 2008

Hey that is a goodie. Many thanks for posting that Ethan.

Some great period images coming out here.

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